Lola vs Powerman And The Moneygoround

Lola vs. the Powerman & the Money-Go-Round, Pt. 1 is often given short shrift by critics who usually cite “Village Green Preservation Society” as the definitive mid-career Kinks album. But many devoted fans cite Lola as the most cohesive, fully realized release from the band of their experimental late 60’s/early 70’s period, or any other. The album achieves this cohesiveness in no small part by the excellent production of Ray Davies as well as a recurring ironic theme to the lyrics of many of the albums songs. Despite this thematic and aural consistency, the tracks are varied in tempo and tone, from the pop songs like “Got to be Free,” to the hard rock tracks like “Rats” and the softer numbers like the beautiful, Dave Davies penned ballad “Strangers.” Often deeply cynical lyrics address topics such as the music industry (“Top of the Pops”), working class life (“Get Back in the Line”), the human race (“Apeman”)… The title track “Lola”, which eventually became one of the most famous rock n’ roll radio hits of all time, is a life affirming, happy tune… about a positive sexual encounter with a transvestite. Not the typical stuff of hit singles. “Powerman” (the other title track?) is a proto-punk rant against the corruption in the music industry, and the corruption inherent in capitalism.